The mixed narratives emerging from Russia undermine Mr Putin's position and authority even more than the actual facts, observes Mihir S Sharma.
In a televised address to the nation on Monday, Putin said that since the start of the events, steps were taken on his orders to avoid large-scale bloodshed, as he thanked the Russians for endurance and support.
'It'll also be difficult for him, tennis requires that competitive rhythm, but Rafa is Rafa, even if he arrives without many matches, he'll surely show a spectacular level.'
Russia and Ukraine agreed last week to allow critical food supplies to flow to millions of impoverished people facing hunger worldwide.
Six months after Vladimir Putin launched his war, Ukraine refuses to genuflect to the Russian tyrant.
England opener Jason Roy smashed his way back into form with 113 from 91 balls but the tourists lost from a commanding position as South Africa claimed victory by 27 runs in the first One-Day International at Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein, on Friday.
The deming and clearing of unexploded munitions in Ukraine after the Russian invasion could take between 5 to 7 years.
Italy qualified for Euro 2024 after drawing 0-0 against Ukraine in their final Group C qualifier on Monday.
A total of 447 bodies was exhumed from the gravesite, including 22 soldiers and 5 children.
Scenes from the bitter fighting in trenches in Bakhmut in Ukraine's Donetsk region during a bitter and cold winter have been compared to scenes from trench warfare during World War more than a century ago.
The Taliban's remarks came after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a $25 million development aid package for Afghanistan in the Union Budget.
A sapper of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service stands atop parts of different Russian missiles and rockets collected by his colleagues in Kharkiv.
IMAGES from Day 8 of the action at the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows in New York on Monday.
It is a first win in six games in all competitions for Liverpool.
The upcoming inaugural edition of the Global Chess League (GCL) will feature the sport's icons such as Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen, Hou Yifan and Ding Liren.
It's the first yellow card issued by a lady referee in the men's World Cup -- Stephanie Frappart is the umpire; Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte is the player -- and it all happened in the 76th minute of the match against Germany.
Harry Kane scored twice in his first league appearance in front of a home crowd to steer champions Bayern Munich to a 3-1 victory over Augsburg.
In the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters, Jannik Sinner clinched a hard-fought win as Casper Ruud crashed out.
Myhaylo Yurkiv, 65, stands in the small bunker he stayed in for six months during fierce battles under Russian occupation which destroyed every home in the village in Tsupivka and cut the village in two by the shelling of a bridge, leaving him now as the only person living on his side of the village.
Fresh holes dug ahead of new funerals sit next to dozens of recent graves, many of which have been filled by those who have died since Russia invaded Ukraine four months ago, in the Walk of Heroes section of the cemetery in Kharkiv.
As Russia's war to control eastern Ukraine intensifies, Ukrainians discover the devastation Vladimir Putin's soldiers have left behind in other parts of the country.
IMAGES from the Premier League matches played on Sunday
Keisha Santwan, 16, and her travel-obsessed family love the joy of exploring new places.
Glimpses of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Donetsk, amidst the war in Ukraine.
The latest glimpses form the Ukrainian battle zone.
Ukraine's Elina Svitolina accused Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka of adding fuel to the fire by standing at the net waiting for a handshake she knew would never happen!
He said on Friday he was concerned the injury, which caused him to scream in pain on court Philippe Chatrier, was "very serious".
Deeply disturbing images from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra faces the likes of reigning World champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic in a star-studded field in Doha.
Canada's Bianca Andreescu upset Greek seventh seed Maria Sakkari to reach the last 32, while Japan's Taro Daniel crushed world number 15 Alexander Zverev.
Izium was occupied by Russians since April 1, causing major destruction and death to the small city.
A title match requires months of preparation and pulling out of other events, putting together a team of seconds, etc. Carlsen just says he lacks the motivation to do this again.
Ukraine celebrates its 1991 declaration of independence from the then USSR on the same day.
Aishwary Pratap Singh clinched a comfortable win over Alexander Schmirl to clinch gold at the ongoing ISSF World Cup in Cairo.
As a sporting spectacle Alcaraz and Djokovic matches have delivered on every level and would be worthy of the Big Apple spotlight.
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